Behaviorally infected HIV positive YMSM were enrolled in this study from one urban adolescent HIV clinic, and were screened for urine and extragenital site GC and CT over a 2 year period. Samples from these sites (pharyngeal and rectal) were tested for GC and CT using both traditional culture media and NAAT technology. Urine was tested using only NAAT.
Of 67 screenings, 36%(n = 24) yielded at least one positive, and 69%of participants (18/26) had at least one positive GC or CT test result during the study period. Of those with at least one positive result, 89%(16/18) had at least one extragenital site infection. Urine testing was positive in 11%(2/18) of those with a corresponding extragenital site infection. None of the extragenital CT infections detected by NAATs were detected by culture, and only 38%(5/13) of the extragenital GC infections detected by NAATs were detected by culture.
Use of NAATs for extragenital STI screening yielded more confirmed positive results than did traditional cultures. By use of NAATs, the majority of routinely screened HIV positive YMSM in this sample was found to have an STI at an extragenital site.